Caterpillar's Response to Covid-19

Last Updated: March 29, 2021

Around the world, we appreciate what our workforce has done to adapt, stay safe and serve a world in need throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Caterpillar Inc. and our subsidiaries continue working to ensure access to the products and services our customers depend on to get their jobs done. Every day, customers use our machines, engines and parts to provide electric and stand-by power for hospitals, grocery stores and data centers; transport food and critical supplies on the roads, rails and ships; mine commodities and extract the fuels essential to energy providers.

We’ve prioritized the safety, health and well-being of our production, distribution and support employees who’ve continued to come into our facilities by implementing safeguards to protect our team members in accordance with regulatory requirements and guidance from health authorities. Additionally, to prevent the spread of the pandemic, some of our global team has been working remotely. The return to the workplace will vary around the world as the pandemic evolves, but our commitment to workforce safety will not.

Vaccines are an important tool in fighting the virus, and Caterpillar is strongly encouraging employees to get vaccinated through any opportunity available to them. We’ve offered assistance to some governments and public health authorities in the vaccine distribution process. When vaccines become available, we are assisting in onsite vaccine distribution for our essential employees in some designated Caterpillar production and distribution facilities.

In 2020, the Caterpillar Foundation committed $10 million to support response efforts and help organizations that have been directly impacted by COVID-19. The investment is making a global impact as it supports the world’s most pressing needs by partnering with United Nations Foundation and the World Health Organization Solidarity Response Fund. At the same time, we’re supporting local communities by encouraging facilities to donate to local charities, which has resulted in the donation of thousands of meals for people in need. 

The Foundation also expanded its existing U.S. Matching Gifts Program for a limited time to provide a 2:1 match on employee and retiree donations to eligible nonprofits. Due to the incredible outpouring of support from employees and retirees, the Foundation raised its initial matching gift cap from $1 million to a total of $2.5 million. From foodbanks to hospitals to educational and international development organizations, these gifts are making a difference. We continue to impact our communities that have been hit by COVID-19 through the Foundation’s year-round match of our employee and retirees’ generous donations.

We will continue to closely monitor the situation and act with urgency. Caterpillar has faced and overcome many challenges in our over 95-year history. While the pandemic has undoubtedly changed our world in many unexpected ways, we’ve continued to put safety first, execute our strategy for profitable growth and serve our customers.